A Stink In The Air?

Looks like there’s a brouhaha erupting regarding the new ladies mini-tour started by one of my former bosses (oh, there’s been so many), Dina Ammaccapane. Known as The Grasshopper Tour, it competes directly with The Cactus Tour which has been around for six years and run by Mike Brown. The rub is that Dina and many of her friends played on The Cactus Tour and is now in direct competition with it.

I don’t know all the ins and outs and I’m not taking sides. One part of me says that competition is good. The other part says that loyalty trumps profit. Either way, I send out thanks for the extra fodder for my blog. Pickins have been slim lately. It will be interesting though to see which tour the players pick.

Malinda Johnson, a former LPGA player, has taken umbrage with the start-up tour and posted this critique on their Facebook page. Here is what she wrote and the banter that followed.

Then there was this:

Snedeker wins playoff after Stanley meltdown – Not exactly a meltdown. It wasn’t like he laid the sod over his approach shot to eighteen.

Donald Trump looks to spend eternity in NJ as real estate mogul seeks private … – People are dying to join.

Laura Davies tips golf prodigy Lydia Ko to turn professional at 16

Pepper adds author to her life list

The magic formula

Congratulations Are In Order

LPGA caddie Lorcan Morris (now working for Sydnee Michaels) just got engaged to his long term girlfriend Kimberly Ledbetter this weekend. He popped the question (I assume it was him) in Cherry Grove SC.

Here’s wishing you two a long and loving life together.

Then there was this:

New Zealand teen becomes youngest pro winner

Golf club a drug hangout – Greens keeper Carl Spackler denies there is a problem.

Phoenix golf-products company returns jobs from overseas – One small step for mankind …

I am changing lives through golf

Out Of Juice

Didn’t expect to work today but I got a call early that around twenty-five players were on the tee sheet. I jumped in the shower, downed some breakfast and out the door I went with a cup of java. One problem. My Energizer car battery had given up the bunny. No clacking cymbals or bright lights just a ominous click, click, click. Eventually, even the door locks didn’t work. Drat! It was barely two years old. What to do? What to do?

I have a Roadside Assistance coverage with my Progressive policy but that could take too long. An alternative plan was to ask everyone I saw if they had jumper cables so I gave that a shot first. As it turned out, it didn’t take as long as I figured. One person had a friend with a jump box but was twenty minutes away. While in wait, I kept asking just in case he didn’t show.

Then a  guy, just getting home from the late shift at work, said his buddy had some cables. One problem though. I was blocked in on both sides so they had no chance of reaching but after fifteen minutes or so, a car pulled out leaving access to my dead machine. Within no time, it was up and running and I was off to work or so I thought.

I got to the course with time to spare but as limo after limo pulled up in front of the clubhouse, chances of getting out looked slimmer and slimmer. Only one group wanted a looper and being last on the list, it wasn’t me. Drat deux!

I left around 11:30 and headed for Sam’s Club. I bought the battery in Florida at one of their stores and the warranty was still in effect. It was now the middle of the day and a Saturday no less, so a long wait was expected. But no. I was the next in line. Shocker! After a quick check it was confirmed, the bunny was now wearing a toe tag and its soul had ascended into the great beyond. A new Duracell was installed at no charge. The extra good news was that the warranty started all over again. At least I got that goin’ for me.

Next weekend looks better for a loop or two. A group is coming in for their annual get-together. Worked it last year and it was good money.

Then there was this:

Mallon named US Solheim Cup captain for 2013 – Great pick.

LPGA Classic fills 1200 volunteer openings in 30 hours – Wow! That’s’ more like it. Bravo to the golf hungry Canadians.

ClubCorp to manage LPGA International – Wonder if they’ll offer more than three free rounds to the LPGA members? That’s’ all they get now.

LPGA commissioner promises ‘best players in the world’ for November event – Except for the no-shows of course.

Shreveport’s Meredith Duncan looks to fund 2012 LPGA Tour campaign  – If we all throw in a buck …

LPGA event will not be back in NWI

Just When You Think You’re Out …

… you’re in. When 8am rolled around, I was on my fourth cup of coffee and just finished a high protein breakfast. I still had not hit the shower but did manage to make a few passes with my new Norelco when the call came. A loop needed filling immediately and a decision had to be made if I wanted it. It was a 9am tee time and after some initial hesitation due to my travel time and lack of preparation, I took it anyway.

Light speed is the only way I can describe the next few minutes. Washed my hair and face then whizzed and deodorized simultaneously. A first. I was out the door in about six minutes. Light traffic and a little extra lead in my New Balance got me to the course with time to spare.

My loop was an Illinois twosome. One guy actually lived at The Rail in Springfield (home of the LPGA almost forever) for ten years. He also knew former players Sarah LaVeque, Mary Beth Zimmerman and Mary Bea Porter. Small world.

When I departed for the course, it was sixty degrees and sunny but I should have checked more closely. Old Sol was in hiding when I arrived and a north wind chilled our innards. I had dressed lightly and during our range warm-up, the wind chill had my left butt cheek doing the hula. I knew a trip back to my car was in order before we teed it up. Gloves and a half-hoodie was added to my attire and a jacket from the pro-shop to one of my players. We were as ready as we could be.

It took a few holes but we warmed enough to make the golf our first priority. With no one on the course and being only a twosome, we were done quickly and on our way out.

I had not caddied for awhile but all those days off worked to my advantage in a way. I decided to concentrate hard on getting more flexibility, especially on the right side of my lower back and hip by doing many hours of stretching, and it paid off in spades. I felt like Gumby out there! More limber than I had been in years. The way I see, it was more lemons into lemonade.

The 2012 Schedule Is Out

LPGA LEAPS FORWARD IN 2012

After a 2011 Season Buoyed By Dramatic Viewership Increases and Bold New Tournament Ideas, LPGA Tour Announces Five New Tournaments

Close but …

Almost got out today. They changed their minds at the last moment. Another dead week is forecasted until it picks up. Hope that LOTTO ticket hits.

The LET Q-school is this week. Here is the list of entrants.

Then there was this:

Sharmila, Smriti among 5 Indians for European Tour qualifiers

Laura Davies Criticizes Ladies European Tour

Walgreens brings LPGA Legends to SCW! – Sun City West …  – How apropos. Talk about reuniting the former stars with their fans.

LPGA returns to Hawaii with Lotte Championship – We used to visit in February. Looks like April will be more expensive.

Record round replaces wedding bells for Rebecca Flood

Making the Rounds: LPGA will take a pass on Sacramento – sacbee.com

Congratulations!

Our own Chad Payne (aka “ICE” and looper for MIka Miyazato) popped the question to his girlfriend Tik and she accepted. They are officially engaged.

May your life together be filled with all the right ingredients: a heap of love, a dash of humor, a touch of romance, and a spoonful of understanding.

I should also add, an oven full of fish sticks.

Then there was this:

Making the Rounds: LPGA will take a pass on Sacramento – … "But when we came to dollars and details, we couldn’t close the deal."

From a tweak comes the pride of TwinEagles – It will be the site of the LPGA Tour finale in November. …

Happy New Year! … Is This The 2012 Schedule?

May all your troubles during the coming year be as short as your New Year’s resolutions.

Hope everyone had a festive and safe celebration.

An unofficial look at the 2012 schedule is included in the following article.  Thanks Fred.

Exclusive: the (Encouraging) 2012 LPGA Schedule Ahead of Schedule (Update)

Found Money

Well, not exactly but it sure seems like it. Way back in September, three of us rented a house in Venice FL for the 2nd stage Q-School. It was on the fifth hole of the Panther and quite a nice place. Along with the weekly rent, I had to pony up a $350.00 damage security deposit which was supposed to be refunded no more than fifteen days after departure. Needless to say, it never was.  I waited and waited but nothing was sent. I decided to ring them up but the line was disconnected. Rats! It didn’t look good.

My last resort was their email address. Luckily, it didn’t bounce back but a reply was not forthcoming either. I figured that was it . Resigned to the fact that deposit was down the loo, I pretty much gave up hope. A few more weeks passed then there it was. Surprise! A reply. The story was that the owner traveled back to France and my deposit was in her account which could not be accessed. She finally responded with an apology for the delay and promise of a ‘check in the mail’ was assured. As we all know, those are ominous words but sure enough, a few days later it was in my hand and for the full amount. As of now, it is in transit to my account and as long as it’s free of elasticity, I’m golden. A very unexpected Christmas present indeed.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Here’s wishing you more happiness
Than all my words can tell,
Not just alone for Christmas
But for all the year as well.

BTW, Looks like everyone is at Walmart for some last minute gift buying. Saw one guy leave with the quintessential present for his sweetie. A vacuum cleaner! Bet she won’t be able to sit still waiting for a chance to use it.

Then there was this:

2011 Year in Review: The best and worst of golf this year

Lexi Thompson’s brother, Curtis, claims Dixie title

LPGA Tour founding member Bettye Danoff dies in Texas at 88